‘Death to the IDF': Anti-Israel chant in Canberra
'Death, death to the IDF,' the crowd shouted, referring to the Israel Defense Forces.
It came just weeks after British rap duo Bob Vylan used it during live-broadcast music festival in the UK, drawing condemnation and prompting the US to cancel their visas for an upcoming tour. Pro-Palestine protesters chanting 'death, death to the IDF' gathered on the lawns of Parliament House. Martin Ollman / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
The IDF have been engaged in a casualty-heavy war with Palestinian militant group Hamas for since its October 7 terrorist attack.
The Israeli action has all-but decapitated Hamas' leadership but come at the cost of tens of thousands of civilian lives, many of which were children. Thousands of children are among the innocents killed in the war in Gaza. Martin Ollman / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
'We don't want no two states, we want all of '48,' the protesters also chanted as a man with a red-painted face waved a large Palestinian flag above a cluster of rally-goers.
The chant references a time before the state of Israel existed.
It is part of a narrative that seeks to frame the Israelis as colonisers, despite the Jewish people living there for some 3000 years. Pro-Palestine protesters waved Palestinian flags and placards. Martin Ollman / Martin Ollman Credit: News Corp Australia
'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,' was another crowd favourite.
This chant, common at demonstrations across the world. Pro-Palestinian protesters marched from Parliament House to the Israeli embassy. Martin Ollman / NewsWire Credit: News Corp Australia
Australian Federal Police stood guard on the Parliament House forecourt, watching eagle-eyed as the mob, donning Keffiyehs, waved placards accusing Israel of genocide and Palestinian flags.
After a series of speeches, the protesters marched to the Israeli embassy.
One AFP officer told NewsWire they would be monitored closely.
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